KILL DEVIL HILLS, N.C. – Warriors Triumph in Season Opener
Friday night marked a significant start to the high school football season for the West-Oak Warriors as they traveled to the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina. Instead of taking a vacation, these young athletes reported for duty, coming away with a hard-fought 12-6 victory over the First Flight Nighthawks.
What a game it was! The night was filled with excitement and tension as the Warriors, led by standout senior running back Marcus Thaxton and tenacious defensive lineman Ryan Addis, fought fiercely while traveling almost nine hours away from home. Head coach Glen Padgett shared his pride in the team’s focus, emphasizing how crucial it was for the players to set their minds on football rather than the scenic views around them. “You take a group of high school students nine hours away from home and spend the night in a hotel… but these kids were dialed in,” Padgett noted, highlighting their commitment and teamwork.
Defensive Dominance
The game started off with a punch as the Warriors’ defense set the mood right from the opening whistle. It only took one drive for junior John Price to grab a tipped pass, shutting down First Flight’s opening kick and giving West-Oak excellent field position, only 29 yards from the end zone. Although they couldn’t capitalize just yet, West-Oak displayed strong intent to score.
Shortly after, junior Luke Redmond made his presence known by sacking First Flight’s quarterback Alex Bryson in the end zone, bringing home a quick safety to put West-Oak on the board with a 2-0 lead. The Warriors finally found their stride later in the first quarter when Thaxton dashed 18 yards around the corner to score. Freshman Isaac Vargas nailed the extra point, making it 9-0 with just over three minutes left in the first quarter.
Challenges Ahead
Despite their lead, the following drives were riddled with frustration for the Warriors, failing to convert crucial fourth downs, a troubling pattern for Thaxton and the team. “It was frustrating… you could tell the guys were hanging their heads a little bit,” Thaxton admitted, reflecting on their struggles. Still, the team tried hard to maintain a positive mindset.
The Nighthawks came roaring back when Bryson found his receiver Van Vanover for a remarkable 87-yard touchdown pass, narrowing the score to 9-6 just before halftime. The crowd erupted, and momentum clearly shifted toward the home team as they rallied back with renewed energy.
Second Half Struggles
The second half continued the trend of stalled drives for West-Oak, though they finally added a breath of fresh air with a 33-yard field goal from Vargas early in the fourth quarter. The score now at 12-6, the Warriors felt the pressure as First Flight made one last, desperate push to even the odds.
With time dwindling and the Nighthawks driving deep into Warrior territory, tension filled the air. With only seconds left on the clock, the West-Oak defense held strong. Addis delivered a critical sack on Bryson, sealing the game and leaving First Flight out of time for a last-ditch effort. “I’m going to remember this my whole life… it’s an incredible experience,” Addis expressed, capturing the spirit of camaraderie seen throughout the game.
Looking Ahead
With a thrilling kickoff to their season behind them, the Warriors now look to keep their momentum rolling. They’ll take on Clear Dot Charter at Warrior Field next Friday night, and with players like Thaxton and Addis leading the way, fans are eager to see what they bring to the field next.
